Tenant Guide to Renting

Browse our property listings online, filter by area, price, and number of bedrooms, and use the enquiry form on any property page to arrange a viewing. Prefer to talk? Give us a call and we'll be happy to help.

• Filter by area, price, bedrooms, and furnishing to narrow the list quickly.
• Save searches and we’ll email you when new matching properties come on.
• Viewings are booked through us, accompanied, and generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
• If you’ve got specific needs (garden, parking, pets) let us know and we’ll flag matches as they appear.

Not finding what you're after? Register your details with us - we often know about properties before they're listed.

Before a tenancy can begin we carry out thorough referencing. This is standard across the industry - every reputable letting agent does the same checks.

• Employment reference (or accountant/tax return if self-employed).
• Previous landlord reference, where applicable.
• Credit check - looking for affordability, not perfection.
• Right to Rent identity verification (a statutory requirement).

You'll need to provide photographic ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of current address. In some cases a guarantor may be required, particularly for students or where income is close to the affordability threshold.

Once references are satisfactory and both parties have agreed terms, we prepare the tenancy agreement for signing. Read it carefully - and ask us anything you're unsure about before you sign.

Under the Renters Rights Act, all new tenancies are periodic from day one. There are no fixed terms, so you have the flexibility to leave with two months' notice at any time.

A detailed inventory recording the contents and condition of the property is prepared before you move in. This protects both you and the landlord and forms the basis for any end-of-tenancy deposit assessment, so please check it carefully and raise any discrepancies promptly.

You'll normally have a week after check-in to add notes or photos to the inventory if anything has been missed. After that it's assumed accepted.

Before the tenancy starts you'll need to pay a security deposit and the first month's rent in advance. Your deposit is protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme and you'll receive confirmation with details of how the scheme works.

• Deposit capped at five weeks' rent by law (for annual rents under £50,000).
• Protected in DPS, TDS or MyDeposits - you'll get the scheme reference.
• Cannot be used to cover rent payments during the tenancy.
• Returned within 10 days of tenancy end once both parties agree any deductions.

Once the agreement is signed and all payments have cleared, you can collect the keys and move into your new home. We'll walk you through meter readings, alarm codes, and any property-specific information you need to get settled.

• Meter readings taken and logged (gas, electricity, water).
• Keys signed for and logged.
• Alarm codes, wi-fi boxes, appliance manuals pointed out.
• Bin day, parking, and any quirks of the property explained.

Under the Renters' Rights Act you have the right to request to keep a pet, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. Simply let us know and we'll put the request to the landlord.

If consent is given, you may be asked to take out pet damage insurance covering the landlord's risk.

If you discover any faults or maintenance issues, report them to us as soon as possible. We'll liaise with the landlord and arrange for repairs to be carried out promptly.

• Emergencies (gas leak, burst pipe, no heat in winter): call our emergency line straight away.
• Non-urgent repairs: report via email or the tenant portal - photos are helpful.
• Your part: keep the property ventilated, deal with condensation, don’t ignore small issues until they’re big ones.

Landlords are legally required to keep the property in good repair and meet the Decent Homes Standard. If something breaks that's not your fault, it's our job to sort it.

Any changes to the property - including painting, putting up shelves, or replacing fixtures - require written consent from the landlord via us. Please get in touch before carrying out any work so we can seek approval on your behalf.

Consent is often given for sensible things (neutral repainting, picture hooks, garden tidying). Unapproved changes may mean the property needs to be returned to its original state at your cost.

As a tenant you are responsible for council tax, gas, electricity, water, broadband, and a TV licence (if applicable). These should be transferred into your name from the start of the tenancy.

• Set up accounts with suppliers on your move-in date - they'll ask for meter readings.
• Register with the council for council tax (single occupants get a 25% discount).
• Budget for water charges, which are often billed every six months.
• Check your tenancy agreement for any special arrangements with the landlord (e.g. bills included).

The landlord insures the building and any furnishings they provide. Your personal possessions - clothes, electronics, furniture you brought with you - are not covered by the landlord's policy.

We strongly recommend taking out a tenant's contents insurance policy. It's typically £5 to £10 a month and covers theft, fire, and accidental damage to your things.

The property must be used solely for residential purposes unless specifically agreed in writing with the landlord in advance. If you're self-employed and work from home - using a laptop at the kitchen table - that's fine. What requires consent is business activity that changes the property's use: client visits, signage, stock storage, commercial insurance implications.

In short: look after the place, pay on time, talk to us if anything goes wrong. Taking good care of the property helps ensure you receive your full deposit back at the end of the tenancy.

• Pay rent on time, by standing order or direct debit.
• Keep the property clean and in good condition.
• Report damage or repair issues promptly - don't leave small problems to worsen.
• Pay all household bills (council tax, utilities, TV licence).
• Be considerate to your neighbours.
• Give proper written notice when you want to leave (two months under the Renters' Rights Act).